The Steel Guitar Forum

Is it possible to change the pulls on the Carter Starter? I'd like to try out Jimmy Day's set up that b0b has in the tunings section on his website:
http://www.b0b.com/tunings/stars.html#E9jd

I'm pretty sure Al Brisco said he could do it when he sold it to me, but he recommended I try out the standard tuning.

Again, keep the Carter original. They are cheap enough/real hard to modify. Sell or trade for another guitar that is easily changed. The Carter was made as a starter with a more or less 'permanent' set up....that's it. What value it has, is in it's original condition.

A quick method to try out the Day set-up, to see if it is suitable for you, is to back off the nylon tuning nut on the 4th string (the one that is attached to the 'C' pedal). Now, the 'C' pedal can simulate the 'A' pedal, so you can try out the Day pedal configuration and see if you like it. You will have to forget the left knee levers, though, while you do this test.

Great suggestion Richard (nice name too ). I have played the "Day" setup for about 30 years now, and played the "Emmons" setup for a year prior to that until a friend talked me into switching. I can say I prefer the Day setup and have my reasons, which I won't go into because that's not what this topic is about. I say leave it as it is and learn the Emmons setup. You can't go wrong with either setup, as has been proven by scores of players on both sides.


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Carter D10 9p/10k
Richard Sinkler

This has been asked before, but how hard is it to change the copedent on a Carter Starter?

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• Gary Shepherd
• Sierra Session 12
• www.16tracks.com

Brooker, if you are relatively new at the pedal steel I would strongly recommend that you stick with the Emmons set-up. I have played the Day set-up for 42 or so years but I think any new player would be wise to stay with Emmons. Most guitars are set up that way and I don't know of a good reason to go the other way. I play the way I learned. If there are any good reasons for changing there are as many good reasons not to.
Jerry

Brooker, I'd agree with Jerry on this, 95% or more of the time you're around other steelers, checking out new guitars at a show, etc. they're Emmons setup, and it sure is hard to swap out once you're "trained". I switched back and forth with little trouble over the first few years I was playing, then settled into the Emmons setup. Then after falling off a 3 story roof and dislocating my ankle, I found as it healed it turned more easily in the "Day" direction and I began playing that way again. I recently got a guitar with the Emmons setup and put in a lot of time on it, hoping to switch back for the 95% reason- but I've just become too entrenched in the Day setup. There are just too many musical phrases in my body that won't change direction! I think there are a few "moves" that may be slightly easier on one setup or the other, but basically, there's no musical difference, so it would seem advantageous to stick with the setup you'll run into more often.

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Stop by the Steel Store at: www.markvanallen.com

My ankles have a lot of trouble "folding up" in the Emmons set up. I tried it. Day is the way, for me I say.

I would not Emmons in a hat,
I would not Emmons with a cat.
I would not Emmons in a box,
I would not Emmons with a fox......


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• Gary Shepherd
• Sierra Session 12
• www.16tracks.com

I found that physiologicly, the Day setup is easier to bend the ankle IN instead of the Emmons out.

I have played it both ways and gave plenty of time for each.

For me the Day setup is faster and more comfortable.

But pay attention to what Jerry and Mark said. Most everything is geared to the Emmons setup.

After saying all that about me liking the Day setup, I am playing the Emmons setup!

Because that is what is what is on most guitars.................al

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My Website..... www.cmedic.net/~almarcus/